Policy School NASPAA Panels

Join Us in Flagstaff!

The School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs at Northeastern University is excited to engage with you at the 2025 NASPAA Annual Conference in Flagstaff, Arizona, October 8–10.

As long-time NASPAA members, we have built something extraordinary—a community of engaged scholars, rooted in collaboration and driven by a shared sense of purpose and urgency. Over the past year, the Policy School has created impact across the research focus areas of urban innovation, environment and sustainability, policy and the arts, and thriving communities.

Come hear from our faculty, who are bringing fresh perspectives on the issues that matter most.

Maria Ivanvoa

Maria Ivanova is Director of the Policy School, Professor of Public Policy, and Co-Director of the Plastics Center at Northeastern. She is an expert in international environmental governance, sustainability, and the science-policy interface. She is the author of The Untold Story of the World’s Leading Environmental Institution: UNEP at Fifty (MIT Press, 2021) and has published widely on global

environmental governance, climate change, and the Sustainable Development Goals. Professor Ivanova’s research examines the effectiveness of international institutions, national performance on environmental conventions, and the role of small states in multilateral environmental governance. Prof. Ivanova will chair the following session:

Innovating Public Service Education and Leadership for a Complex Future

Friday, Oct 10th | 3:30–4:30 PM PT

Oak Creek, Union

Cristina Stanica

Cristina Stanica is an Associate Teaching Professor of Public Policy and Administration. The central theme of her teaching is active and practical engagement and learning, based on the principles of experiential, democratized, and interdisciplinary learning, inclusivity as part of a global mindset, and critical thinking. She explored New Public Governance practices in Central and Eastern Europe and is interested in administrative and rules burdens in street-level bureaucracy, co-production, and trust in government. Prof. Stanica has been selected for the prestigious NASPAA NEXT 2025-2026 leadership cohort for early-career faculty and will present on:

Decolonizing PA Education and Embedding Philosophical Inquiry

Friday, October 10th | 4:45–5:45 PM PT

Rees, HCCC

Kim Lucas

Kim Lucas is a Professor of the Practice in Public Policy and Economic Justice and also the Civic Research Director of the Policy Innovation Hub. They are an academic-practitioner who is committed to community-driven civic research, innovation in city-university collaborations, and leveraging our collective expertise for the social good. Kim’s research focuses on early childhood policy and the child care market, and their practical experience includes over a decade of innovation in community-engaged research. Prof. Lucas will present on:

Making It Real: Embedding Experiential Activities to Develop Skills and Enhance Learning Outcomes in Public Affairs Education

Friday, October 10th | 4:45–5:45 PM PT

BrightAngel, 1899

Linda Kowalcky

Linda Kowalcky is a Professor of the Practice in Public Policy and Urban Affairs and also Associate Director of the Policy School. She teaches public policy, public administration, and works with the school’s internship programs. Her career includes senior positions in government as well as academia. Following the successful 2025 reaccreditation of the Policy School’s MPA program, Prof. Kowalcky will attend the Accreditation Institute in training for future service as a NASPAA site visitor.

For more information, see the full NASPAA conference schedule

Northeastern University

School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs

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